Locals living near Meru-Isiolo border decry rising insecurity

During the latest attack last Sunday, a national police reservist officer (NPR) died when assailants believed to have been from Samburu County stormed his home, shot him dead, and fled with two cows and his firearm. 

Benson Mbaabu Kaimenyi, 42, who was recently recruited to the NPR, died on the spot after the shoot-out at his homestead that has three houses, one belonging to his parents. 

A sombre mood engulfed mourners at his burial on Thursday, as family, friends and neighbors struggled to come to terms with the loss.

Tens of National police reservists (NPR officers) were also present to pay their last respects to one of their fallen colleagues. 

Kaimenyi Nabea, the father to the deceased, said it was not the first time someone is being killed, adding that the assailants have been terrorosing residents.

He said that just a month ago in another attack in the neighborhood, the raiders killed one person and stole livestock. 

The assailants stole a gun belonging to the deceased, and two heads of livestock, with the animals being recovered three days later at Archers’ post. 

Nabea said that the raiders seemed to have been on a mission to kill and steal the gun from him, since they attacked him after he had departed from the rest of the crew of (NPRs) who had come from a security operation mission. 

He called for a thorough investigation to be conducted.

Musa Maitai, a resident of Mugae village, said that he arrived at the scene on Sunday morning when he was informed of the happenings, and called upon the government to increase security surveillance in the region, since the incidents were on an increase. 

According to Maitai, the government should dig deep into the motives of the attackers.

Pastor Kaburia Mung’athia said that over fifty head of cattle were recently stolen from another homestead recently.